Published by Brunsell on 20 Oct 2011
Science Matters in Wisconsin 1(8)
Welcome to this week’s issue of Science Matters in Wisconsin. As a quick reminder, this is the new title for WSN eNews.
The NSTA database that I use to send this newsletter had “issues” earlier this month. I apologize if you did not receive a newsletter over the last two weeks. Archives are available at: http://www.sciencematterswi.com/tag/newsletter
Archive Note: The web version for the next two weeks of Science Matters in Wisconsin will not be posted until the week of November 7. However, it will still be sent on time via e-mail.
– Legislative Action!
From Francis Eberle, NSTA Executive Director:
Senate leaders last week released the draft of a massive bill (860 pages) to revise and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind. The ESEA draft incorporates the STEM legislation introduced by Senator Merkley on October 6 to improve STEM education. It is anticipated that the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will begin consideration of ESEA sometime this week.
The STEM legislation in the draft ESEA, which NSTA strongly supports, would reauthorize and strengthen the current Math and Science Partnership Program (Title II B) at the Department of Education by providing competitive grants to states and districts to improve student achievement in the STEM fields. (NOTE from Eric: These “Part B” grants provide opportunities for universities and school districts to collaborate on professional development projects to strengthen math and science content knowledge)
NSTA and the STEM Education Coalition worked closely with Senator Merkley on this legislation, and were the first groups to support the legislation. However we still need to demonstrate clearly to the entire Senate that STEM should be a major priority in the reauthorized ESEA, so we are asking you to support the STEM provisions in this draft by sending an individualized letter to your Senator. You can do this through the STEM Education Coalition web site; http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/stemedcoalition
– Professional Development
South Africa Study Tour – Summer 2012: South Africa creates a complex and interesting learning environment when examining sustainability issues. Like most sustainability issues around the world, problems faced in South Africa are tied up in a complex web of political, social, economic, historical, and human rights issues. The human dimension of environmental and sustainability issues will be a focus of this program and will be explored through studies in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces. Travel to South Africa for three weeks in the summer of 2012 to learn about education, history, and sustainability in South Africa while participating in an educator exchange. All formal (K-12) and non-formal educators are eligible to participate. More information can be found at http://www4.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/get/southafrica.asp or contact Susan Schuller 715-346-4150 / Susan.Schuller@uwsp.edu
NSTA Webinar (Oct 25 @ 7:30 – 9:00 PM): Making the Transition to Scientific and Engineering Practices: Visiting the potential of the Next Generation Science Standards http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/webseminars.aspx
– Science Spotlight
A few weeks ago, I sent an e-mail regarding the surprising (and controversial) finding of neutrinos traveling faster than the speed of light. This ongoing story provides a fantastic look at the nature of science and the process of replication and peer review. Scientists are looking at multiple different aspects of the experiment that may have resulted in unaccounted for uncertainties.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/335309/title/Critics_take_aim_at_fast_neutrinos
– Technology Competition
INTEL’s APPUP Competition: Kids are wired to learn and technology can help them achieve their dreams. Enter the contest by saying in 500 words or less why your favorite K-12 school deserves a technology package, featuring industry-leading technology from Intel, exciting learning and teaching apps, and more. If your story gets the most votes by December 4, your designated school will win a technology package worth $25,000. Second and third place winners receive technology packages valued at $10,000 and $5000. And, every week they will give away a notebook, to reward you for helping your community. For more information, please visit:
http://contest.appup.com/#Challenges
The contest runs from October 5 – December 4, 2011.
– Student Opportunity
NASA wil be launching twin spacegraft to orbit the moon. They are challenging K-12 students to give these spacecraft new names. Entries must be submitted by teachers using an online entry form by November 11, 2011. For more information, please visit:
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/grail/namingcontest.cfm?CFID=6865009&CFTOKEN=93461418
– Video of the Week
Students can read and watch video about 21 Smithsonian scientists including a volcano watcher, a fossil hunter, art scientist, germinator, and zoo vet. Please visit:
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/scientist/index.html
– Contact
To subscribe to Science Matters in Wisconsin, please visit - http://bap.nsta.org/Content/Home/BecomeAContact/Default.aspx
For questions about Science Matters in Wisconsin, please contact me:
Eric Brunsell, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh brunsele@uwosh.edu
